STOCKHOLM – The UFC’s debut in Sweden couldn’t have gone much better, especially with hometown hero Alexander Gustafsson continuing his quick ascent up the light-heavyweight rankings.

The Stockholm native dropped Thiago Silva early and then battered him for the remainder of their three-round main event.

The UFC on FUEL TV 2 headliner took place at Stockholm’s Ericsson Globe Arena. It aired on FUEL TV following prelims on Facebook.

Although Swedish fighters went just 2-3 on the night, it was celebrated as a winning night thanks to Gustafsson’s big victory.

Gustafsson scored a flash knockdown early in the fight with a right uppercut, and he followed with some ground and pound. Silva returned to his feet, but he was clearly dazed, and Gustafsson continued picking him apart with punches and kicks as he darted in and out of range through the remainder of the round. The knockdown set the tone for the remainder of the bout.

In the second round, Gustafsson checked a kick and threw Silva to the mat. Once back up, Gustafsson continued the assault until Silva landed some heavy punches midway through the round. But with quick footwork and constant feigns, he kept Silva guessing.

The Swede’s tricky style continued in the third round, when a well-conditioned Gustafsson continued chipping away with punches and kicks on a slowing Silva. Later in the round, the Brazilian began landing some power punches as he chased after his opponent, but Gustafsson’s timing and conditioning soon put him back in the driver’s seat.

Rather than the newly adopted five rounds, Saturday’s headliner went just three rounds because Silva was a late replacement for injured Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

“All I can say is I’m proud to fight here in my home country in my hometown,” he said. “It’s a big honor.”

What’s next for the Swede, especially with next week’s title fight between light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Rashad Evans?

“I just want to take the fights the UFC gives me and do what I love to do: fight,” he said.

Gustafsson (14-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) now has won five straight fights since his UFC 112 loss to Phil Davis. His victory over Silva (14-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC), who returned from a 15-month layoff due to a drug suspension, was his first in the UFC to go to a decision.

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